George Rodriguez, born in Laredo, and raised in San Antonio, attended and graduated from BYU in 1976. In 1981, he went to work in D.C. and worked in various capacities at the Justice Department during the Reagan Administration. He also worked with the White House Office of Public Liaison. He is now retired and continues to speak and write to further conservative policies and ideas.

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

A Lack of Media Coverage for Hispanic Conservative Views

As the Texas state legislature moves into its special session, several important bills will be considered including the anti-sanctuary cities bill and the redistricting bill. The role that the media has played in shaping public opinion and in influencing legislators cannot be underestimated.

Since the late 1970s, all forms of media have made an effort to “diversify” so that the broader community can be reflected in their reports and editorials. The media in Texas’ major markets of Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin all have Hispanics as reporters and writers. However, media owners forget, or ignore, the fact that not all Hispanics are liberals.

Because of the lack of “diversity in Hispanic opinion”, public discussions regarding Hispanic issues are always led by Hispanic liberals. Unfortunately, when the only opinion being heard is that of Hispanic liberals, policy is shaped according to their input. Legislators, particularly the newly elected ones, seemed to be intimidated by loud Hispanic liberals on many issues.

Conservative Hispanics need to be more visible and, yes, louder to counter the liberals’ screaming. Unless conservative Hispanics are heard, all conservative ideas will continue to be branded as “racist” by liberal Hispanics. There is diversity in among Hispanics in their opinions, and the media needs to understand this fact.

The state legislators in the special session in Austin need to be aware of two things. First, many Hispanics support abolishing sanctuary cities in Texas, by using the federal Secure Communities program and ensuring that only individuals who are here legally can obtain a valid Texas driver’s license. This legislative action is for the benefit and safety of our communities, and it will not lead to racial profiling as Hispanic liberals claim.

Second, legislators should not segregate Hispanics into “Hispanic congressional districts” are per the demands by Hispanic liberals. Hispanics should be integrated into the political system, not segregated.

Just as Hispanic liberals in the media and in politics alleged that anti-voter fraud legislation was not necessary because there were no actual instances of voter fraud in Texas (complete falsehood), they are again screaming over legislation they oppose. The media should listen and give coverage to Hispanics on both sides of the argument. There is diversity in opinion and thought among Hispanics. They are not all liberals.